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Topic: I.O.M TT fatalities (Read 591 times)

I think that is one of the most over used statements in Motor cycle sportThey have died doing something they enjoyed doing, usually followed by RIP.It is time this event was stopped or else made a hell of a lot safer.There have been 5 fatalities this year the death rate is going up year on year.No doubt I will get hammered for this. I have been a road race fan since I was 14 and still go to at least one or two road races a year in N Ireland. I have never been to the TT as one it is to bloody expensive to get there and two, to what see the riders go past every 17 minutes for 5 laps. No thanks. My last road race was the Tandragee 100 last year. There was a young gun called Malaci Mitchell Thomas, a new wonder kid on the block. He was flying and everyone was raving about him. I thought to myself then, son you are quick but take your time and learn the track and your craft as well. He was killed at the NW200 about a month later.

The death toll in this year’s TT Races which finished on Friday is just one fewer than the worst year for the event, which was 1970, when there were six fatalities. Enough is enough

Don't even know where to begin.Yes it's a sad loss when a rider dies but the sentiments are spot on. If you have never raced then you don't and never will understand. Racing is in the blood and unstoppable, usually the harder the better, the danger is part of the enjoyment.No rider/driver enters a race unaware of the possibility of it being the last sunrise they will see, they know and accept the risks.You might say that this is selfish and childish and it is, it's not fare on those left behind but spouses made that decision to marry a racer and the parents encouraged it.I have known my share of racers that have died and not one of the parents/spouses have blamed the sport.I can only hope that I'm lucky enough to die with my boots on.If you are going to apply your logic then we should ban road cars because people die in those all the time or sky diving or any other thing you care to mention where there is the potential for people to get hurt or killed.

« Last Edit: 10 June 2017, 07:53:04 AM by celticbiker »

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My original post was not correct, it was 3 competitors and 2 bikers during the week, sky news as usual reported it wrong.I know what you are saying, I have been biking for over 50 years now. I know I should stop as I no longer have the skills or concentration I used to have, it is a drug.Is there any need for a 1000cc Super sport bike at the TT, even some of the top boys are opting now for the Super stock. Okay I know not a lot of difference. Tyres have improved and bikes are getting faster year on year, but the roads are getting worse year on year.Why not at known accident black sports slow them down ? introduce chicanes were possible if not at the actual spot then before it or just after it. I know it will take away some of the thrills but hopefully also the spills.I am not a tree huger or an HSE freak just the older one gets it hurts to see and read about some one dying at a sporting event.

It's all about personal choice, everyone that races knows and accepts the risks, no-one is forced to do it.Like you say some are choosing not to ride the 1000cc bikes anymore their choice and just how it should be.So is there a need for 1000cc bikes? probably not but then is there a need for 1000cc+ road bikes when a 600 can do double the speed limit, it's all about personal choice.

I listened to an interview with Philip McCallen on Manx Radio whilst I was at the TT, during practice week, and he was very passionate in his derision of all the people who call for road races like the TT to be stopped. He got quite angry about people not involved in racing trying to sanitise, restrict or completely stop it.

His attitude, and that of many other racers, is that they all know the risks and danger involved yet still choose to compete in the sport that they love. They try very hard to make it as safe as possible, but by its very nature it is dangerous and that is a lot of the appeal, as well as the competition.

Personally, I find it very sad that there are deaths almost every year during the races, but I have to agree with Phil's sentiments; it's each persons own choice to compete, just as it's our own choices to ride bikes and risk injury or death every day on the roads.